Part of PC Screen not refreshing [Fix]

Is part of your computer monitor’s screen not refreshing properly? It’s showing old content, and no matter how many times you refresh the screen, it remains the same. If a part of the screen freezes, it is often a temporary issue that resolves automatically. However, if it persists for a long time or appears frequently, then interacting with your PC becomes quite hectic. Fortunately, there are a few straightforward steps you can take to address the issue and resolve it promptly.

Determine whether it’s a software or hardware issue

Before discussing any solutions, it is essential to determine whether the issue is related to hardware or software.

Look for these software issue signs:

• The problem occurred after updating your Windows, drivers, or software installation.
• Only certain windows or parts of the screen have the problem.
• Check if pressing Ctrl + Win + Shift + B temporarily fixes the issue.

Look for these hardware issue signs:

• The issue appears even during startup or in the BIOS menu.
• You encounter the problem across all apps or windows.
• You can see visible damages like lines, dead zones, or ghost zones on your monitor.
• An external monitor works fine, but not your primary monitor.

Fix Part of PC Screen not refreshing problem on Windows 11/10

Here is the list of solutions that will help you fix the issue where a part of the PC screen is not refreshing.

1. Update or roll back display drivers
2. Adjust the refresh rate
3. Test for hardware issues
4. Test in safe mode

1] Update or roll back display drivers

If you have recently updated your display drivers, then consider rolling back the driver to the previous version and see if it works. To roll back the driver, follow these steps:

• First, press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
• From Device Manager, expand your display driver.
• Right-click on the display driver and select Properties.
• Then go to the Driver tab and see if you can access the Roll Back Driver option. If possible, follow the on-screen steps.

Alternatively, if you haven’t updated your display drivers for a long time, then consider going to the graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and downloading and installing the latest drivers.

Read: Fix Display Driver Installation Failed errors on Windows 11

2] Adjust the refresh rate

If there is a mismatch between your monitor’s capabilities and display settings, then partial screen glitches can happen. To fix this, consider lowering your Refresh rate or increasing it slightly to check if you are encountering the error.

To adjust your refresh rate, follow these steps:

• Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
• Go to System > Display > Advanced display settings.
• From here, use the Choose a refresh rate option to set your preferred refresh rate.

3] Test for hardware issues

You cannot ignore the possibilities of hardware issues. To check this, consider connecting your PC to another monitor or TV, and if you still encounter the same issue, then it’s most likely a software issue.

But if you don’t encounter the issue on a different monitor, it could be a hardware issue. In such a case, it is advised to inspect your monitor carefully and see if you can spot any visible damage.

Read: This hardware device is not connected to the computer (Code 45)

4] Test in Safe Mode

You should also consider starting your PC in safe mode and check if your display works fine there. If it does, it’s probably being caused by third-party software. In that case, consider uninstalling applications like antivirus software, any display-related utility tools like screen recorders, or other tools like Razer Synapse, iCloud, etc. Then check if you are still encountering the same error or not.

So those were a few ways to fix the part of the PC screen not refreshing. If the issue still persists even when you’ve checked it with another monitor, you may need to have it examined by a technician.

Read: Desktop does not refresh automatically in Windows 11

Why does the screen issue only happen after waking from sleep?

This often happens due to graphics driver glitches or power management settings. When your PC wakes from sleep, the GPU may not reinitialize correctly. Updating or reinstalling the display driver typically resolves the issue, and disabling Fast Startup or specific power-saving options can also prevent it.

Can a loose cable cause part of the screen to freeze?

A loose or damaged display cable can cause part of the screen to freeze or display incorrectly. This is common with HDMI or DisplayPort connections on external monitors, or with internal cables in laptops. Checking and securing the cable connection often resolves the problem.